In a world where internet celebrities seem to be taking an increasingly prominent role, Jake Paul has become one of the main attractions in boxing events. It could even be said that he’s one of the figures who draws the biggest crowds. Under this scenario, he could secure a fight that would finally establish him as a legitimate boxer.

Anthony Joshua could return to the ring to face the popular YouTuber, who already has fights against Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez Jr. on his record.

One of the most lucrative contracts revealed for the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight

At the moment, Anthony Joshua is in talks—as reported by Eddie Hearn to BBC Sport—for what could become the most lucrative fight of the British boxer’s career. This would mark the return of the two-time former heavyweight world champion, who was knocked out by Daniel Dubois last September.

Joshua, aged 35, underwent surgery in May and is looking to return to the ring, with the possibility of facing Paul as a real option for 2026.

“At first, I thought it was a publicity stunt by Jake, and now, the more I talk to them, the more I understand: Jake Paul believes he can beat Anthony Joshua,” Hearn said.

“This is a step too far. So be careful what you wish for, because this isn’t a game. This isn’t YouTube. This isn’t Disney. This is the danger zone.”

Jake Paul has caused a stir in the boxing world since his debut and has already dared to challenge major figures in the sport, including the heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk.

Currently, Paul has only one loss on his record—against Tommy Fury—and has competed in the cruiserweight division, though never in the heavyweight category, where Joshua fights.

Under this scenario, the YouTuber is convinced he can become a world boxing champion, but Hearn insists that will “never” happen. Now, the possibility of facing Joshua, likely in a major U.S. stadium, is becoming increasingly appealing.

Paul already fought an aging Mike Tyson, one of the greatest in history at his peak but far from that level, in a bout with modified rules at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.

While fans have dreamed for years of a “Battle of Britain” between Tyson Fury and Joshua, Hearn confirmed that the financial offer to fight Paul is simply astronomical.

“It’s probably among the biggest purses of his career,” Hearn noted.

“[Normally] the more dangerous the fight, the bigger the purse you expect. In this case, it’s the opposite: it could be the easiest fight for AJ and, at the same time, the one that generates the most money.”

Paul has only 13 professional fights, compared to Joshua’s 32, in which he has faced opponents like Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, and Oleksandr Usyk.